Disclaimer: I do not own this series or claim any rights to the characters. The story line is my own original idea and I would appreciate that no one copies it or use it as their own.

CHAPTER 4 A Knack for Trouble

The weekend flew by; breakfast, lunch, and dinner, mixed in with daily chores, shopping excursions, and late night discussions consumed the days. It was soon Sunday evening, dinner was over and the dishes were done; we all sat around the table speaking lightly about one thing or another.

"So, Megumi how much longer do you think, Sanosuke will need to rest," asked Karou, she always spoke of him with a vaguely unconcerned tone though her sudden change in expression showed she was worried, but she would never admit it.

"Well, I've had him sedated until today, I assumed, judging by the scars that he is not one to take it easy and let things heal, and this is a very dangerous wound, I do believe he is healed enough that it is ok to let him out of bed; in answer to your question the sedatives should be worn off by morning," am I rambling, I thought as I took a sip of tea.

"That was a good assumption on your part, Miss Megumi, Sano is a very determined and driven individual, whom will fight to his death," Kenshin said with a softened expression, "I quite admire some of the qualities he has, but then again there are outers I don't quite agree with."

Kenshin sighed and glanced down the hall to where Sano lay asleep, we sat in momentary silence; Yahiko's yawns were the only thing that disturbed the quaintness of the evening. Kenshin sat his head resting on his hand, with Karou at his side her head resting lazily on his shoulder, her eyes closed, and her hands placed one in her lap one just under her chin, and Yahiko lay with his head on the table his spiky black hair and all, with his arms folded he looked like he was going sleep right there. For a moment I sat there in silent thought, I thought of the man who I had been treating, I thought of his dark mysterious eyes, his soft chocolate brown hair, and the many scars that covered his toned body. In silence I scolded myself, it is wrong of me as a doctor to be looking at my patients in this fashion, but there was something there. Finally I forced myself to think of something else, work…

"Kenshin," I said suddenly causing Karou's eyes to pop back open "are you escorting me to the clinic tomorrow."

"Yes, Miss Megumi I think it would be best," yawned Kenshin, "I'm not quite sure it is safe for you to travel alone just yet."

I nodded in agreement, Kanryu still had his men out there and they weren't likely to give me up that easily.

"Well if you will excuse me I think I will check on Sanosuke so I can change the bandaging and then turn in," I said stifling a yawn.

"Goodnight Miss Megumi," yawned Yahiko as he crawled off to his bed.

"Bed…sounds nice," Karou yawned, "are you coming Kenshin?"

I never heard Kenshin's response for I was already half way to the room where Sanosuke lie; I stood there a moment my hand resting lightly on the handle to the door, before slowly sliding it open.

"Well, well, well what have we here, there is a woman in the kitchen and it's most defiantly not Karou," said Sano in a sly voice as he approached Kenshin who was standing at the window with the laundry.

"You are correct, Sano," he said eyeing Sano with disapproval, he never was fond of his womanizing, "that would be Miss Megumi, she is living with us now due to some unfortunate circumstances, she's the woman who you helped out the other night and she is the one who has been taking care of you for the past few days, you've had us worried Sano; I thought you were going to stop all this fighter for higher business," Kenshin sighed, "I'm glad to see you are up and about."

"Living here, really," he said watching her clean the dishes and as usual ignoring Kenshin's critique of his character, "she sure is cute."

Kenshin rolled his eyes and went back to his morning chores, Sano moved leaning against a tree and he watched threw the open door. She is a vision, he thought before nodding off into a mid morning nap. Some people never change, thought Kenshin listening in part to Sano's deep breathing as he continued to work on the laundry.

"Miss Megumi," Kenshin called from the wash tub, "Are you ready to go."

"I am," I called back slipping on my shoes and joining him in the yard. I couldn't help but giggle seeing Sanosuke napping against a tree, "I thought he wasn't one to take it easy."

Kenshin smiled but said nothing he knew Sano only took it easy when there were chores to be done, "come, we must go tell Miss Kaoru that we are leaving,"

Walking down the pathway I was lost in thought, I truly admired the love and respect that Kenshin and Kaoru shared, I hoped to some day find the something for myself, but who was I kidding. Kenshin stopped waving at Kaoru as she taught her morning sparing class, she nodded in acknowledgement not missing a beat with the student she was coaching, Kenshin smiled and we continued through the front gate.

"The clinic is about fifteen minutes from here," Kenshin stated startling me, "But I would like you escorted to and form the clinic until I'm sure it safe for you to go alone."

"Thank you," I said, "I appreciate your concern for my safety."

He smiled that big goofy smile; he truly was charming, "anytime, Miss Megumi you are a part of our family at the dojo; we all work, live, laugh, learn, and love, together and as a family we look after one another.

I arrived at the clinic with tears in my eyes; I had never had someone to consider family. "Thank you," I spoke softly, "for everything, Kenshin."

"Someone will be here tonight to pick you up, do NOT leave without someone," he said the look on his face was unusual, fierce, and slightly intimidating, "we would like you home safely tonight," he said his usual smile returning, "good luck Miss Megumi."

On that note Kenshin left, and I entered the clinic and was immediately greeted by Dr. Genzai, "ah, good morning Megumi, I was hoping that was you."

"Good morning, Dr. Genzai," I responded bowing.

"Megumi," he said his smiling wrinkled face taking on a serious expression, "I know this is a lot to ask of you on your first day at the clinic, but do you feel up to running this place this afternoon and closing?"

I nodded, "but…"

"I'll get you started, show you were everything is, I'm quite positive that you can handle it, I knew your father he was a expert in his field and it seems you have inherited his talent."

I blushed as he began to show me around the medical supplies where in cabinets in each of the patient rooms all alphabetized, every thing was labeled easy enough to remember. But I couldn't stop wondering how he knew my father. He explained how to close up and gave me my own key, and disappeared into the back room where spare supplies were kept.

"Well, that's about it, think you can handle it," he asked sliding a medical bag oh his shoulder.

"I think I can," I smiled, "but doctor, how did you know my father?"

"I had the pleasure of attending a meeting with him shortly before he passed, he was a very pleasant fellow, knew his stuff, I was just starting out in the medical field, but he was brilliant and willing to share."

"Oh, thank you," I was impressed; "it is a small world after all."

"Indeed, now I must ask you to take over, now that we have two well qualified doctors I am going to be making my house calls during the day, feel free to close up at seven."

The day went by slowly most patients had the same seasonal head cold. They came and when and weren't surprised in the least to find a new doctor in the facility. It seems that the doctor had been looking for an assistant for some time now, but had turned all applicants away on lack of ability or trust worthiness. By the days end I had only treated seven patients through out the day, all except one whom had a fractured wrist were in and out in a matter of fifteen minutes. It was definitely a slow day, six thirty rolled around and I began cleaning up, mopping the floor, returning the medicines to their proper places, and washing down the counters; I had just finished and turned out the lights feeling greatly accomplished. Then the door slid open.

"Hello, Megumi," he chuckled, and my heart sank, "did you think we'd let u get away?"

I froze, I thought maybe if I stood there in silence that maybe he'd go away, but I was wrong. He crossed the room he knew exactly where I was, I tried to back away but I was already against the wall, there was know way out of it, I was going to die. I watched as he crept closer and closer his amber eyes glowing in the setting sun. He raised his hand and slapped me, "you were taught answer when spoken to, or have we forgotten this lesson?"

I spat in his face, if I was going to die I was going to die knowing that I treated them like they treated me all those years, like scum! I didn't even flinch when his blade came flying from its sheath and was sharply pressed against my neck. I swallowed with fear in my stomach and hatred in my heart I stood there frozen to the wall. I heard footsteps in the distance my sensitive hearing picked this up but my attacker heard nothing. I smiled.

"What are you smiling at?" he growled in my ear, I again did not answer.

"ANSWER ME," he bellowed.

At that the door to the clinic flew open, and there he stood, Sanosuke in all his glory. Fire shown in his chocolaty eyes, his perfect body shone with the golden sunset, I watched as he clenched his muscles and his hands formed into a fist. "I thought you'd get the hint after I kicked your ass the first time, to leave this woman alone," growled Sanosuke.

"Za…Za…Zanza," he stammered.

"That's my name," he chuckled smartly. The man trembled from head to toe, dropped his blade, and ran for the door.

"Not so fast there buddy," he said grabbing him by the collar and throwing him on the floor and putting his foot on his chest. The man gasped, I wasn't sure if it was out of fear or the amount of pressure that was being put upon his chest.

"Stand up," he snarled removing his foot.

The man stood on command like the dog he was, and Sanosuke swiftly delivered a blow to the man's head, and watched as he fell back to the ground. A stream of crimson blood trailed from his open mouth he was most defiantly unconscious.

"Are you alright," Sano asked, the softness slowly returning to his eyes.

"I think so," I said running my hand across my throat.

"Good, now let's get you home, before some other idiot decides to mess with you," he said watching my eyes travel to the unconscious form on the floor. "Don't worry I'll come back for him, he's going to be there a while"

So we set off silently into the setting sun toward the dojo. Occasionally I'd glance to my left at my savior and admire all that he was. As we neared the dojo he finally spoke, "You know something fox lady you have a knack for getting in trouble…"

AUTHORS NOTE: hey there I hope you all enjoyed this chapter…. Sorry it took so long but it's my senior year and I'm taking AP classes so I haven't had the time…. But I tried my best to update for you… so I hope you are all pleased with this chapter!!! Please review!!!!!